Reusable Remote Pyrotechnic Ignition System and Device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a system and apparatus for providing reusable remote ignition of a pyrotechnic device having an igniter clip, nichrome wire, and an actuator.

INDEX TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of, and claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/656,555 filed Jun. 7, 2012 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

In the field of pyrotechnics and fireworks safety is of an up most concern. Many devices are developed that allow a user to remotely ignite pyrotechnic devices. The most common of which involve using nichrome wire as a bridge wire in a system known as an electric match. Electric match systems provide a bridge wire of nichrome wire as a heating element and the heating element heats up a magnesium metal igniter to provide an ignition source for the pyrotechnics. The electric matches currently in use typically require an electric current of up to twelve volts and amperage up to two amps. Additionally, although the magnesium igniters are considered to be efficient, they are of single use. There is no reusability in such systems. There is a need for a reusable pyrotechnic igniter and providing this igniter using a safe but effective amount of electricity.

The present invention addresses this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is a system for providing electronic ignition to a pyrotechnic device said system comprising:

-   -   a reusable igniter clip;     -   a selected distance of nichrome wire;     -   an actuator.

The igniter clip is constructed and arranged with a first nichrome wire, a ceramic block and a means for urging two portions of said clip toward each other. The block/clip arrangement is constructed and arranged to impart a concentration region whereby heat is concentrated in order to ignite a pyrotechnic device.

The system nichrome wire is used as the only ignition source on said igniter clip.

The system of claim 1 wherein said system is reusable more than a single ignition.

The system output of 6 volts and 1-3 amps ignites pyrotechnic fuses. This is the output that is directed to and ultimately received by the nichrome ignition wire held between the block portions of the clip in the present invention.

In one embodiment, the system is constructed and arranged wherein multiple igniter clips are actuated from a single actuator.

The invention further contemplates an ignition clip comprising:

-   -   a first arm, having a first nichrome wire associated therewith;     -   a second arm, having a ceramic block associated therewith     -   a means of applying pressure on each of said first and second         arms such that said pressure urges each of said first and second         arms to contact one another;     -   said clip constructed and arranged such that each of said arms,         under pressure from said means of applying pressure define a         contact point. The contact point is any point or region between         the second arm and the wire. As is known in the art, and shown         in embodiments of the figures, on such configuration for         providing the means of connection is a clip arrangement where a         spring or spring-like device urges the members in a manner to         impart the desired arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the battery holder module of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the battery holder module of the present invention showing separation of front and rear case elements.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the controller actuator of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective separated view of the controller actuator of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a separated view of component parts of the attachment clip of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of ignition components incorporated onto the clip of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a demonstrative view of the components of the present invention in an environment of use.

FIG. 8 is a demonstrative view of the components of the present invention in an environment of use where multiple igniter clips are used from a single actuator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the pyrotechnics industry safety is of upmost importance. The present invention provides a remote ignition system whereby fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices may be ignited from a safe distance.

In a conventional and widely used system, nichrome wire is used as a bridge wire in electric ignition systems. Typically a bridge wire is used to create a specific amount of heat in order to initiate ignition to another ignition source. The other ignition source typically is a magnesium ignition source. Conventional systems do not use nichrome wire, ostensibly because the magnesium creates a powerful and more rapid ignition for pyrotechnical ignition. It is known that there is a significant drawback in pyrotechnic electric ignition systems utilizing magnesium. A major drawback is they are a single use system. Additionally, it is know that a significant amount of electric charge is required in order for the ignition system to work.

The present invention has discovered a system whereby nichrome wire alone is used in conjunction with a low amperage current in order to provide an ignition source to a pyrotechnic display.

The present invention includes a power supply box 40 constructed and arranged to receive input from actuator 80. Box 40, in one embodiment, has a pair of battery cavities 24. Enclosure closing tabs 20 that secure first case 10 to second case 30 that combined form box 40. Tabs 34 interact with closing tabs 20 and connector 34 interacts with closures 28 and 16. Box 40 is constructed and arranged with a plurality of wire access ports. Wire access ports, in one embodiment, are openings in box 40 in which wires run to and from the interior of box 40. In one embodiment, box 40 has a first wire access 26 and a second wire access 22. In use, the present invention is a system whereby an electric source is operatively associated with a length of nichrome wire. An actuator 80, as shown in FIG. 7 is positioned at first end of the system 130 and an attachment clip 90, being an igniter clip on a second end of said system 130. A user will actuate the system and initiate electricity through wire actuator wire 136 and through any one of a plurality of primary ignition wires 134 and final ignition wires 132. All conducting wires will ultimately provide an ignition at attachment clip 90 of the present invention. Attachment clip 90 also referred to as igniter clip has constructed therewith an upper igniter clip 92 and a lower igniter clip arm 94. On the interior of igniter clip is a first nichrome wire 124 incorporated on wire block holder and a ceramic block 98. In one embodiment, block 96 has a surface with alternating raised surfaces 122 and indented surfaces 128.

The lack of contiguous planer surface facilitates durable connection with pyrotechnic fuses. Conventional igniters are single use only because the nichrome wire breaks due to heat stress from the electrical charge. In one embodiment, the present invention has discovered ignition is possible using a lower voltage and amperage. The lower voltage and amperage does not destroy or disrupt the integrity of the nichrome wire and thus allows for a reusable device and system. In one embodiment, the combined low voltage and amperage with a unique holder facilitates dissipation of heat and thus allows for the desired reusable result. The block configuration having a plurality of ridges on the interior surface allows for concentration of energy, ignition of a pyrotechnic fuse and dissipation of heat. Current systems merely provide a large electric charge, sufficient to both cause ignition and destroy the wire. Current systems cannot ignite at the lower voltage and amperage as n the present invention because there is no configuration to concentrate the heat and cause ignition. That is to say, the present invention is not merely and optimal range of electric charge. If one were to provide voltage and amperage of the current system into pyrotechnic igniters currently used, no ignition will occur. Block holder 96 and block 98 are constructed and arranged such that tension bar 100 urges each of block 96 and 98 towards and in contact with one another by tension applied on the interior of each of upper igniter clip 92 and a lower igniter clip arm 94. Clip 92 is constructed with slot 110 constructed and arranged to allow the actual igniter to be changed. Block 96 is positioned above block cavity 116 and is formed to receive the igniter block. Clip cavity 114 is the cavity that holds the spring clip in place. Tension from bar 100 urges each of upper igniter clip 92 and a lower igniter clip arm 94 away from one another and pivot 102 connected to clip 94 at igniter clip pivot connector 118 and orifice 18 constructed therewith and connected to clip 92 at clip pivot connector 112 and orifice constructed therewith. Incorporated at opposing ends of nichrome wire 124 are a pair of insulator pads 126 constructed and arranged to direct the electrical charge to a central region or concentration region of nichrome wire 124. In one embodiment, the arrangement of pads 126 to impart concentration region 124 allows the system and device of the present invention to operate at voltage and amperage that until now has been viewed by persons skilled in the industry as insufficient to ignite pyrotechnic fuses.

An electric power source is provided, in order to supply power to system 130 and initiate ignition in system 130 of the present invention. Although batteries 32 are shown, the particular type and shape is not limited. As is known, current pyrotechnic ignition systems are limited in that they require significant voltage and amperage to actuate pyrotechnic ignition. Current systems require upwards of 12-15 volts and 2-10 amps. Amperage and voltage less than these amounts are recognized to be insufficient for providing electronic ignition of pyrotechnic fuses. The present invention provides an apparatus and system that requires only about 6 volts and 1-3 amps. The system of the present invention is able to actuate a pyrotechnic device.

Actuator 80 is utilized to send electricity to clip 90 and ignite pyrotechnic fuses.

In one embodiment, actuator 80 has one or more arming actuator switches 64 that must be activated before actuator 80 will allow a user to deploy fire actuator 58. Fire actuator 58 is the final step in deploying electric charge to clip 90.Actuator case front 50 has one or more cavities 66 with border 68 there around for access of actuator switches 64 residing within actuator 80. Fire cavity 64 with border 68 allows access to fire actuator 58 within actuator 80. Case front 50 is connected to case back 70, in one embodiment, with snap fit connector through snap fit tab 72.

Actuator 80 has at least one momentary contact single pole single throw switch (SPST). In a preferred embodiment, one configuration provides for two momentary contact SPST switches are used and the two switches impart increased safety in the system and device of the present invention. Once the system is actuated through actuator 80, at least one conductor wire 136 delivers electricity to molex connector 14. Control box 40 has at least one primary ignition wire 134 exiting there from. In one embodiment, electricity passes through molex connector 138 through wire 134 and, if desired, through final ignition wires 132 where the electricity reaches igniter clip 90. Connector 138 is constructed and arranged as a connector facilitating quick connect-disconnect in the event any particular connector 90 is in need of replacement when the system is in place. The system and article of the present invention is used by attaching igniter clip 90 to the fuse of a pyrotechnic device (not shown) as is known in the art. A user will then be provided with a distance of wire and the wire will be of sufficient length such that the user holding actuator 80 is at a safe distance from the pyrotechnic device at the time of ignition. Although this distance varies depending on the type of pyrotechnic device, the distance is contemplated, in one embodiment, at about 10 to 100 feet.

This distance is not critical as it varies depending on particularized safety concerns. However, the distance of the wire has a direct impact on the required amount of electricity required to actuate the system and article of the present invention.

In one embodiment, a single actuator ignites multiple pyrotechinic devices.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A system for providing electronic ignition to a pyrotechnic device said system comprising: a reusable igniter clip; a selected distance of nichrome wire; an actuator.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said igniter clip is constructed and arranged with a first nichrome wire, a ceramic block and a means for urging two portions of said clip toward each other.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein nichrome wire is used as the only ignition source on said igniter clip.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein said system is reusable more than a single ignition.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein output of 6 volts and 1-3 amps ignites pyrotechnic fuses.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein multiple igniter clips are actuated from a single actuator.
 7. An ignition clip comprising: a first arm, having a first nichrome wire associated therewith; a second arm, having a ceramic block associated therewith a means of applying pressure on each of said first and second arms such that said pressure urges each of said first and second arms to contact one another; said clip constructed and arranged such that each of said arms, under pressure from said means of applying pressure define a contact point. 